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Commercialization opportunity for a microwave sensitive personal protective equipment (PPE) device with Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS)

ID: KRG-25-001 • Type: Sources Sought

Description

Background Information:
Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with a frequency range spanning 300 MHz-300 GHz. Humans have been harnessing the power of microwave radiation since 1945 for everything from heating food to transmitting telecommunications around the planet and driving high tech military radar platforms. Inadvertent exposure to microwaves can arise in many occupational settings. At particularly elevated risk are personnel who maintain telecommunication towers and those who operate and repair military radar systems. Exposure to microwaves in certain power/frequency regimes can cause adverse health effects such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Current methods to detect microwaves are either expensive and electronic in nature or low cost and unreliable (prone to false positives).

Opportunity Description:
MSTS possesses the intellectual property and know-how to develop a PPE device that produces a material based visual indication of microwave radiation exposure. MSTS is seeking partners in the development and commercialization effort of the system, associated electronics, and manufacturing. Partners are sought to collaborate via Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
(CRADA), commercial license agreement, or potential sale and assignment of IP rights. MSTS is available to collaborate with non-federal entities (NFEs) including Business, Industry and Non-Profits, Universities, and Government Agencies to leverage a broad spectrum of talent and capabilities.
Interested parties should contact MSTS Technology Partnerships and Intellectual Property Office via email with the subject line: Microwave Sensitive PPE Device.

General Conditions
The submission of a response to this opportunity does not create any implied or express contract between an OFFEROR and MSTS obligating MSTS to review or evaluate the sources sought or to make an award in accordance with the evaluation and selection criteria specified herein. This sources sought and the information specified herein are strictly for the convenience of MSTS. By submitting a response to this opportunity, OFFERORS acknowledge and agree that they shall not be entitled to any compensation, damages, or remuneration of any kind whatsoever in the event that MSTS fails to follow, or deviates from, this sources sought.

Primary Point of Contact: Technology Partnerships and Intellectual Property Office
Email: TPIP@nv.doe.gov
Keywords: Microwave, PPE, safety

Background
Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS) is seeking to develop a personal protective equipment (PPE) device that provides a visual indication of microwave radiation exposure. Microwaves, which are electromagnetic radiation with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz, have been utilized since 1945 for various applications including food heating and military radar systems.

Personnel maintaining telecommunication towers and operating military radar systems are at heightened risk of inadvertent microwave exposure, which can lead to adverse health effects such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Current detection methods are either costly and electronic or unreliable with high false positive rates.

Work Details
MSTS possesses the intellectual property and expertise necessary to create a PPE device that visually indicates microwave exposure. They are looking for partners to assist in the development and commercialization of this system, including its associated electronics and manufacturing processes.

Collaboration opportunities include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), commercial license agreements, or potential sale and assignment of intellectual property rights. MSTS aims to work with non-federal entities (NFEs) such as businesses, industries, non-profits, universities, and government agencies to leverage diverse talents and capabilities.

Overview

Response Deadline
Oct. 7, 2025, 7:30 p.m. EDT Due in 149 Days
Posted
April 7, 2025, 11:05 a.m. EDT
Set Aside
None
PSC
None
Place of Performance
North Las Vegas, NV United States
Source
SAM

Est. Level of Competition
Average
Odds of Award
19%
On 4/7/25 Department of Energy issued Sources Sought KRG-25-001 for Commercialization opportunity for a microwave sensitive personal protective equipment (PPE) device with Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS) due 10/7/25. The opportunity was issued full & open with NAICS 54171.
Primary Contact
Name
Matthew Fritz   Profile
Phone
None

Secondary Contact

Name
Keisha Garcia   Profile
Phone
(509) 366-7370

Documents

Posted documents for Sources Sought KRG-25-001

Question & Answer

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Additional Details

Source Agency Hierarchy
ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF > ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF > MSTS – DOE CONTRACTOR
FPDS Organization Code
8900-899012
Source Organization Code
500048457
Last Updated
April 7, 2025
Last Updated By
keisha_r_garcia@rl.gov
Archive Date
Oct. 7, 2025